About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Cardiac Tests
Introduction
Cardiac tests are essential tools used by doctors to evaluate heart function, diagnose heart diseases, and assess the risk of cardiovascular conditions.
Types of Cardiac Tests
1. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Purpose: Measures the electrical activity of the heart.
- Use: Detects arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other cardiac abnormalities.
- Procedure: Electrodes are placed on the chest, arms, and legs to record heart rhythms.
2. Echocardiogram
- Purpose: Uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the heart.
- Use: Assesses heart structure and function, detects valve diseases, heart failure, and congenital defects.
- Types: Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiograms.
3. Stress Test (Exercise or Pharmacologic)
- Purpose: Evaluates heart function under stress conditions.
- Use: Diagnoses coronary artery disease (CAD), assesses exercise tolerance.
- Procedure: Patient walks on a treadmill or takes medication to stimulate stress on the heart while being monitored.
4. Holter Monitor and Event Recorder
- Purpose: Records heart rhythm over an extended period (24–48 hours or longer).
- Use: Detects intermittent arrhythmias or unexplained fainting episodes.
5. Cardiac CT and MRI
- Purpose: Creates detailed images of the heart and blood vessels.
- Use: Identifies coronary artery disease, congenital abnormalities, or heart muscle disorders.
6. Coronary Angiography (Cardiac Catheterization)
- Purpose: Visualizes coronary arteries using contrast dye and X-ray imaging.
- Use: Diagnoses blockages in arteries and assesses the need for interventions like stenting or bypass surgery.
When Do You Need a Cardiac Test?
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Shortness of breath or fatigue.
- Irregular heartbeat or palpitations.
- High risk of cardiovascular disease (e.g., family history, high blood pressure, diabetes).
- Preoperative cardiac evaluation.
Conclusion
Proper diagnosis through cardiac testing plays a crucial role in preventing and managing heart diseases. Consult with your doctor to determine the most appropriate test for your condition.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiovascular Evaluation
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/prevent-calculator
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17901357/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000106
- https://newsroom.heart.org/news/leading-cardiologists-reveal-new-heart-disease-risk-calculator
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiac Imaging
- https://www.escardio.org/Sub-specialty-communities/European-Association-of-Cardiovascular-Imaging-(EACVI)
- https://academic.oup.com/ehjcimaging/article/16/9/919/2399830
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Scientific-Documents/Recommendations-and-position-papers
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19733789/
- https://www.escardio.org/
3. ACC/AHA Guidelines for Exercise Testing
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.0000034670.06526.15
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9207652/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.CIR.96.1.345
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.07.053
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12392846/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Get second opinion
Here you can learn everything that even your doctor may not know about cardiology (if he does not speak English and he does not read 117 leading medical journals on cardiology every month).
The most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.